Alumnus donates $100K to Catholic Central High School

Retired State Supreme Court Judge and Catholic Central High School alumnus James B. Canfield speaks before making a $100,000 donation to the school, located in Lansingburgh, N.Y., on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013. J.S.CARRAS/THE RECORD

TROY >> An alumni of Catholic Central High School decided to make a sizable donation on Tuesday after he saw the school's declining enrolment.

Former state Supreme Court Justice James Canfield donated $100,000 to go toward tuition costs for students who otherwise would not be able to attend Catholic Central High School.

Canfield, who said he attended the high school from 1954-1958, said there were around 1,200 students attending the school when he went but said he has seen enrollment drop to a fraction of that.

"I want to see this school continue," Canfield said. "I don't want to see it go away."

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Chris Bott said the school is approached by many families who say they wish to attend the school but can't afford to pay the $6,000 a year tuition. With the donation from Canfield, Bott said it hopes to increase the class size.

"Our hope is to the school grows its enrollment and we hope to give families who otherwise could not afford the tuition to come here," Bott said.

The school does usually receive donations from alumni but said Canfield's was the largest donation he had seen in the eight years he has been principal.

Canfield said he wanted to do what he could to encourage students to come to Catholic Central because he enjoyed his time there. He also said with such a great school alumni, he hopes to see more donations.

"I hope other people are encouraged to contribute," Canfield said. "It's a great school and I enjoyed being here."